Barb Martens

Thank you, Cory, Thank you for the question. Farmland stays farmland. And as far as balancing the needs, we need to create buffers between. We need to update our rural plan. It's painfully old. And that … involves consultation, consultation from the rural community. … Sorry, just flipping. Like, Michelle I'm a little nervous. And I want to help with agritourism marketing and rural signage. And I think an important thing for me and from my wheelhouse is bylaw enforcement for the infractions that we see both in both areas, frankly. And we need to have specialized bylaw enforcement for rural and as well as for urban because there's different issues for each area. And those are my thoughts. Thank you.

More than 30 years old. A priority for this term along with the Agricultural Viability Strategy. But, it shouldn't be written at Townhall and then handed to farmers afterwards. Farmers, the AAC, LFI, staff and residents all need from the beginning. That is respect for our farmers. More bylaw officers, who are all trained to address agriculture issues, fines that actually matter, and follow up until the problem is resolved. Writing a ticket and never following up doesn't resolve the problem. I support dedicated rural enforcement, so officers know areas, the properties, and the repeat problems.

Barb Martens, Langley Strong. Yes, I support BRT I'm coming forward on 200th. We need to get ahead of it and be planning for what that's going to look like for us. I think one thing we need to keep in mind is the routes that we're looking at that aren't already a traffic fiasco that we're going to add to those problems. And I think we need to plan around not just the movement of people, but the movement of goods. Every part of the network needs to keep moving Roads, transit, walking, cycling. BRT … be taking up roads and I'm thinking specifically in North Langley of 202 and I do have a concern around that area if anybody lives up there it's a complete traffic chaos. It would be good to pilot smart synchronized signals along the corridor to keep things moving and what we can do more generally is have a regional committee working together to advocate for transit needs in this area in this entire region not just try to do it on our own and when we work together and build bridges with other municipalities. We can have a much more powerful voice in Victoria and with TransLink and in getting funding from those sources. Thank you.

Thank you. Barb Martens from Langley Strong. The Rainbow Crosswalk has been repeatedly vandalized, and simply repainting it every time isn't a solution. After the most recent incident, Council asked staff to come back with options around enforcement, by-law changes, and recovering costs. I brought forward an amendment asking staff to look at crime prevention through environmental design. I'd like us to look beyond paint. Nanaimo installed a more durable thermoplastic pride crossing with the colour built into the material. I would like options that give taxpayers the best long-term value. At the end of the day, this is public property, but it also is a symbol that everyone belongs in our community. We need a practical solution that makes repeated vandalism harder and stops us from simply repainting the same problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Cory. Barb Martens from Langley Strong. So what kind of Leadership where you talk to one another, where you discuss things openly at the Council table, where you take into consideration other people's ideas. Showing up at this job knowing you don't know everything, everybody's got a perspective, and it's always good to listen. … And it's, … sorry, Cory, I apologize. Can you just ask the second half? [The moderator repeated the second part of the question.] Thank you. So as far as my voice, my voice, I've got three decades in public service before I came to Council, and I've worked with all sorts of stakeholders and different people in the community, and I feel it's important to have people with lived experience and people who have been out in the community who talk to the community and consider different perspectives. That's all I have right now. Thank you very much.

I support stronger enforcement. My background is in public service safety, and I believe rules only work if enforced. That means enough bylaw officers trained in agricultural issues including illegal fill, illegal dumping and truck parking, and the follow up and follow through. Dedicated rural enforcement so they know the area, the properties and the repeat offenders.

Water is fundamental for farming and groundwater is part of Langley's overall water supply. We need to properly map and protect vulnerable aquifers and recharge areas, and that work belongs in the new rural plan. Before approving development, fill or other uses over a vulnerable aquifer, we should understand what impact it could have on the water underneath.

If I had to pick one improvement, it would be making sure seniors have places to connect close to home. Isolation become a real issue, particularly for seniors who no longer drive or have difficulty getting around. I'd like to see us make better use of the recreation and community facilities we already own, with dedicated senior spaces, programs, and opportunities to connect in each of our communities. And the practical things matter too. Snow clearing, keeping phone and paper options available as more services move online, and making sure we're looking out for seniors during extreme heat. For me, respecting seniors is about helping people remain independent, connected, and part of the community they helped to build.

Barb Martens, Langley Strong. Community associations should have a real and consistent voice at the Township. This is how I've tried to approach my role as councillor. I've attended several Fort Langley Community Association meetings and stayed in contact with executive members to help answer questions they bring forward and keep communications open. I support giving community associations a direct line to council, a named Township contact, regular meetings, and early notice when important decisions are coming that affect their community. For me, this comes back to respect. Communities know their own needs, their history, and their issues affecting them every day. Council should be working with them, not around them. That is how we build trust and make better decisions for the whole Township.

Thank you. Good evening. I'm Barb Martens and I'm running for a second term on Langley Council and I'm running with the Langley Strong team. I'm a retired Vancouver police officer and you know, I just want to say, while I fought in a riot, I'm not here to take shots at fellow candidates who do their best in preparing for these presentations. I worked in patrol, in neighbourhood policing, in crime control, and I was a liaison to businesses and hotels. That means working directly with business owners and understanding the real impact crime, disorder, and safety concerns have on your staff, your customers, and on your bottom line. Those experiences taught me the value of prevention, on strong relationships and practical problem solving. Business also needs certainty, reliable infrastructure, responsible spending, and a local government that understands that delays, red tape, and rising costs have real consequences. It comes down to respect. Listening to the people who create jobs, invest in Langley, and keep our economy moving. On October 17th, vote Langley Strong and vote Barb Martens, your safe vote on Council.

Thank you, Cory and thank you to the Chamber for hosting this tonight. And thank you to everybody that came that took an interest in this. We are strongest when we govern if we are actually listening to the people and engaging with the people. And so always knowing your perspective, and I want to be the person that you can reach out to and know that I'm going to take you seriously, and I'm going to make the tough decisions when I have to. I'm Barb Martens I'm running with the Langley Strong team, and I am your safe vote on Council vote on October 17th. Thank you.

Good evening, Fort Langley, and thank you to the Fort Langley Community Association for hosting me tonight. I'm Barb Martens and I am honoured to be running for a second term on Township Council. Public service has been at the heart of my career, from social services to policing to serving our community at the council table. For the past four years, I've worked hard to be accessible, practical and focused on common sense solutions. I believe leadership means listening, showing up and treating people with respect. I believe leaders can disagree without being disagreeable and that respectful dialogue leads to better decisions. On October 17th for Barb Martens and the Langley Strong team, ready to listen, ready to work and ready to restore respect for council.

Barb Martens, Langley Strong. Thank you again to the Fort Langley Community Association for inviting us tonight, and thank you for your thoughtful questions. It's time to rebuild our relationship with Fort Langley and to restore respect for your voice. Public service has defined my career. I'll keep showing up, listening, and asking the tough questions. It's the need to have before the nice to have. On October 17th, I respectfully ask for your vote, vote Barb Martens and the Langley Strong team, to restore respect to our community. With my public safety background, I will be your safe vote on council.